Personal interlocking toilet seat handle with related improved sanitary toilet seat

ABSTRACT

Users of the Personal Interlocking Toilet Seat Handle with Related Improved Sanitary Toilet Seat enjoy a personal, private solution to health concerns arising from exposure to common restroom contaminants such as urine, fecal matter, germs, bacteria and other harmful microorganisms. Businesses can replace existing toilet seats with the device, affording the restroom user a convenient means of avoiding contaminated seat surfaces. Consumer&#39;s who use the handle are afforded a convenient, economical manner to manipulate any toilet which is equipped with the Seat. The handle is unobtrusive, lightweight, affordable, and personal to the user. The user can easily clean, disinfect, or sterilize the handle between uses to reduce disease borne from contaminants.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERAL SPONSORED RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

[0001] None

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to sanitary and convenience devices, and specifically to improvements to existing toilet seats used in residential and/or commercial bathrooms. The intention of the invention(s) is to provide the consumer with a convenient, sanitary method or means of raising and/or lowering a toilet seat without having to touch the actual seat. The invention consists of two parts: an improved toilet seat featuring a built in side slot which will accept the portable, personal toilet seat handle, and the toilet seat handle which can be inserted into the toilet seat slot, or can be temporarily or permanently attached to existing toilet seats in residential or commercial settings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Research has shown that most people do not like the idea or possibility of touching a toilet seat in an unknown or known bathroom facility; and, that most people are concerned about potential contamination from, or exposure to germs and disease which may reside on the surfaces of such seats. Furthermore, these surfaces may become contaminated through ordinary use with urine, fecal matter, and a variety of germs, bacteria, and other microorganisms.

[0004] As solutions to this problem, a wide variety of prior art devices, equipment, and accessories have been proposed. These generally fall into four principal categories: permanently attached handles (U.S. Pat. No. 3,935,602, Hermann); temporary handles (U.S. Pat. No. 6,163,894, Simonds); mechanical lifting/lowering devices (U.S. Pat. No. 5,940,896, Berring); and sanitary, disposable seat covers. Although each of these prior instruments have some useful application, none have achieved measurable commercial success in the market place primarily because the device or instrument is either overly complicated, too cumbersome, or evidences some other design or use defect. Permanently attached handles can themselves become contaminated as they are largely simply an extension of the seat. Temporary handles utilizing clips or other means of attachment are generally too large or bulky to be carried on the person or in a women's purse. Mechanical devices, such as foot pedal operated apparati, are overly complex and require much additional space for installation. Finally, disposable seat “liners” or “covers” offer little additional protection insofar as they must be manually affixed to the toilet seat and must be continually re-stocked by restroom attendants.

[0005] Objects of the present invention are, therefore, to provide an improved means of lifting and lowering toilet seats in either a commercial or residential application through means of a personal interlocking toilet seat handle which can be used either as a stand alone device, or in conjunction with a related improved sanitary toilet seat.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Drawings numbered 1 through 3 (previously submitted with the provisional application) show the specifications and front, side and rear views of the personal, portable handle. Drawing number 4 (also previously submitted with the provisional application) shows the bottom view of the personal, portable handle indicating pre-drilled holes as one means of allowing the consumer to permanently attach the handle to the toilet seat.

[0007] Drawings numbered 5 and 6, respectively show the top and bottom plan of the Improved Sanitary Toilet Seat with slot cut out to accept the personal, portable toilet seat handle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] A. Personal, Portable Toilet Seat Handle. This invention is a handle that can be applied to toilet seats used in residential and/or commercial bathrooms.

[0009] The invention will be manufactured from plastic, molded in the manufacturing process, with two types of adherence possibilities for permanent installation to any existing toilet seat. In addition, the handle may be temporarily mounted to any existing toilet seat by means of VELCRO fasteners. The handle may also be used in a personal, portable mode with the Improved Sanitary Toilet Seat.

[0010] The invention is over all 4¼″ wide x 4″ long x ¼″ deep. It will be made from plastic using a single piece molding method. The invention will have rounded edges on the handle portion for easy and safe gripping, will include a recessed edge for the attachment tab to be fitted to the bottom of the toilet seat for either permanent or temporary attachment (or to be inserted into the matching female slot on the Improved Sanitary Toilet Seat), and allows positioning of the back of the handle against the side of the seat for level and strength. A pre-glued pad, slightly smaller than the tab attachment itself, will be supplied with the attachment tab to allow for adherence to the toilet seat; three (3) pre-drilled holes will allow the consumer to more permanently and securely affix the handle to the seat if the user or consumer prefers that option (a small bottle of extra strength liquid adhesive may be substituted for the above pad, if desired).

[0011] Additionally, the handle and tab protrusion are designed in such a manner that the handle portion may be grasped in the consumer's hand and easily inserted into the cut-out slot of the Improved Sanitary Toilet Seat for use by persons traveling or visiting commercial or non-personal restrooms.

[0012] The plastic used in construction of the handle is dishwasher safe, is not susceptible to breakdown or deterioration when exposed to anti-bacterial soaps for cleaning, and may (through the addition of dyes or tints into the manufacturing process) be constructed in a host of colors to match the consumer's existing decor.

[0013] In addition, the handle with protruding tab is designed and manufactured in such a manner as to present a flat profile and to easily fit into the pocket of men's trousers or a woman's purse.

[0014] B. Improved Sanitary Toilet Seat. The Improved Sanitary Toilet Seat is susceptible of being manufactured in varying dimensions to fit existing, standard toilets. The seat is generally contemplated to be have an exterior width of approximately fourteen (14) inches and an exterior length of approximately eighteen (18) inches. In addition, the seat is to be constructed with a rear protrusion which serves as a means to attach the seat to new or existing toilets.

[0015] The seat may be constructed from standard commercial manufacturing materials including molded plastics or resins, wood, or other materials. Unique to the Improved Sanitary Toilet Seat is a cut-out slot measuring two (2) inches wide by two (2) inches deep and being located equidistant from the top and bottom surfaces of the seat. The cut-out slot may be manufactured into either the left or right side of the seat (or both) to accommodate left or right handed users, or to allow the seat to be adopted for use depending on existing space available in the user's bathroom. The cut-out slot is designed to accept insertion of, and work in combination with the personal, portable toilet seat handle previously described. The handle may be used in the portable mode by means of inserting it directly into the cut-out slot before, during or after each use. The handle may then be removed and washed or, depending on the cleaning agents or solvents available, disinfected or sterilized in preparation for the next subsequent use. In addition, the handle may be inserted into the cut-out slot and permanently secured thereto using commercial adhesives or by drilling through the bottom surface of the seat and securing with screws.

[0016] The under side of the seat is equipped with four (4) rubber or plastic stops which are designed and intended to prevent slippage when resting against the top surface of the toilet bowl, and to evenly distribute the user's weight when sat upon.

[0017] Once installed, the Improved Sanitary Toilet Seat may be mechanically operated by any compatible personal, portable toilet seat handle.

[0018] Like the personal, portable toilet seat handle, the Improved Sanitary Toilet Seat may be manufactured in a wide array of colors to match or compliment existing bathroom decor. 

I claim:
 1. A Personal Interlocking Toilet Seat Handle with Related Improved Sanitary Toilet Seat comprising: a. A molded plastic handle portion with protruding tab which may be permanently attached to any existing toilet seat using a pre-glued adhesive pad. b. A molded plastic handle portion with protruding tab which may be permanently attached to any existing toilet seat using screws. c. A molded plastic handle portion with protruding tab which may be temporarily attached to any existing toilet seat using VELCRO. d. A molded plastic handle portion with protruding tab which may be used, transported or carried by the user or consumer in a personal, portable mode when used in conjunction with the Improved Sanitary Toilet Seat in the user's or consumer's residence. e. A molded plastic handle portion with protruding tab which may be used transported or carried by the user or consumer in a personal, portable mode when used in conjunction with the Improved Sanitary Toilet Seat in the any residential or commercial restroom facility featuring the Improved Sanitary Toilet Seat. f. The assembly described in claims 1 a through 1 e wherein the molded plastic toilet seat handle as depicted or described in Drawings 1 through 4 attached hereto is attached to an existing toilet seat by means of any screw, nail, glue, other adhesive substance, or VELCRO. g. Any assembly or combination of parts wherein a toilet seat may be lifted or lowered using any type of handle, tab or other object which is inserted into any slot in a toilet seat. h. An Improved Sanitary Toilet Seat consisting more or less of a conventionally designed toilet seat with a two inch by two inch cut-out slot along either or both sides of the seat to allow insertion of, and manipulation of the seat by use of the personal, portable toilet seat handle. i. An Improved Sanitary Toilet Seat consisting more or less of a conventionally designed toilet seat with a two inch by two inch cut-out slot along either the left or right side of the seat to allow insertion of, and manipulation of the seat by use of the personal, portable toilet seat handle by either left or or right handed users or consumers. j. Any toilet seat having a slot or other opening designed to accommodate or accept the insertion of any handle, tab or other object for the purpose of manually lifting the toilet seat. 